The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-28

under Forrest. It was at this point
a stubborn fight was had. Federal
Gen. Sturgis brought against Forrest
a good body Of men, some Of them
bearing badges, Remember Fort Pill
low" Gen. Roddy was mile below
Forrest when the two forces met.
Instant fighting was Forests plan.
In this he differed from other gener-
ais. Forrest began an attack. 9th
ers began disposition for an attack.
In this fight ut noon not man was in
the rear except the horse holders,
one man TO four horses. Two hours
later one man held twelve hors,s.
On foot that body OF men, made up
of renegades and suspects largely,
fought eight hours. The day was
theirs at 2:30 o'clock. Sturgis had
hurled against the Confederate line
an unbroken new brigade (the fourth
one that day. fresh from camp. At
4 o'clock many Of Forests men
were fighting with six shooters, their
ammunition for guns exhausted.
Before 5 o'clock next day 1900 pris-
oners, 1900 men on the field "hors dc
combat"
Sturgis's command was litsrally
cut TO pieces. The remnant were
sixty miles away from the fighting
ground. This was humiliation OF
the 10000 men by $500. One reason
Forrest could keep his men TO their
work was, they knew on the front
line they might escape; If Forrest
found them in the rear they could
not. DIR. Kelley said there was less
struggling from Forests lines, in
spite Of his relentless urgency, than
from any other he ever saw. Here
was raw general and seasoned
general. Comparisons are always 10 .
vidious and unpleasant, but il is nee .
essary 10 show one Of Forests char.
acteristios. At this time Johnston
started in the rear Of Sherman. Gen.
Wheeler, Of Alabama, was q brave,
careful, true. indomitable aud intel.
ligent man. lie and his mon passed
quietly TO the roads, made the effort
TO destroy tho facilities for return
Of Sherman, but failed 10 do this.
Forrest met him as he was struggling
back at Athens, Ala. They made a
stand force from Decatur was ad
vancing; Gen. Forrest made his dis
positions; sent for the Federal gen
eral TO review his troops and see how
useless the effort would be 10 fight
against such odds. Forrest 80 ar
ranged the men that the same men
passed tho reviewers three or four
times. The humane Federal
surrendered position that
was as safe AZ his mother q
lap, believing himself outnumbered
Forrest destroyed the fort, burned
the bridge. and, after the arms OF Oh Z
men had hecn collected, ic: :hs enc
my know he had hardly mon 10 guard
the 1900 prisoners. Then Forrest
took the expedition in hand TO de,
stroy tho bridges and railroads, and
he did IL efiectually. He heard the
Federals we're gathering about Nash
vile, and held a council of war
All the oommandants were called
upon for an opinion. When they
had spoken he took the map, laid
down on his face on the floor, and
said, ~ thought as how We moughl
do this" and with his finger h,
pointed out each man his route
Gen. Buiord. with the artillery ant
wagons he sent TO Huntsville. II,
himself struck for Nashville. VIVA
he designed was executed. Tn
Federals concentrated 10 watch For
rest, and the others accomplishc,
their move. DIR. Kelley said he be
lieved that had johnson and For
rest been permitted TO have thoi
lead, Sherman's last line OF connec
ton would have been broken.
Hoods expedition into Tennessee,
was a magnificent conception, IL i
could have been carried out.
Two points the lecturer cndeayore,
10 make clcar-the effect Of Forrest
strength upon military men tn
impression he made upon the worl,
Of tho power and proper use Of cayal
ry in modern warfare. A courie
captured crossing his line had thi
dispatch Look out, front, fan
aud rear, Forrest undoubtedly acros
the river" Persistent fertility O
resource was the ground Of his sue
cess. In the battle OF Nashyill
Forrest bad a conspicuous part. ii
was at Murirccsboro. The fight wa
at Gen. Hardiug's 10 the Cumber
land river. Forrest had 1900 me
the first day. The fight began at Oh
Spence House at p o'clock. At
o'clock they bad made their way /
the Davidson House. Hero (ii th
report be true Of numbers In IN
lAst article In the Century, 1900 mo
wtfo held at bay for eight hour
Every individual private OF Forrest
command was trained toan unbound
cd belief in his power 20 succeed.
The last day tho fight was on tn
Granny White pike. IL was a stub
born fight. Forests men were still
confronted by overwhelming nun
bers. Hero their endurance cam
from Forests influence.
DIR. Kelley had been asked wbolhe
Forrest could have commanded
large force.
In answer he could testify that IN
practical suggestions Of the naturu
warrior were the safeguard OF IN
Confederate army under Hood
Forrest took Hoods army out q
Tennessee" Hood himself said I
DIR. kcllcy's presence, that 10 forrcs
he owed everything. The roads wer
wretchod. Three hundred mule
mirod were left standing TO die,
being impossible 10 get them uT
The army was saved from Thomas
army OF 1000 cavalry. Forrest sioo
like a lion in Hoods rear; too
every position; captured field pieces
and covered the retreat. DR.. kollo
here gave A thrilling nicture az m